One Liners: Dave Rowntree, Lickd, The Levellers, more

completemusicupdate.com:

DEALSDeath metal band Defleshed have signed to Metal Blade to release their first album since 2005.Music licensing platform Lickd – previously mainly focused on helping YouTube creators license music – has partnered with decentralised metaverse Decentraland’s entertainment and commercial district Vegas City. “This is a huge step for Lickd both in terms of expanding our offering into the metaverse and for the metaverse itself in terms of being able to simplify the music licensing solution”, says Lickd CEO Paul Sampson.

Vegas City CEO James Ashton, meanwhile, is “THRILLED”.————————————————–APPOINTMENTSWarner Music Canada has appointed three new A&R Directors, promoting George Kalivas and newly hiring Ajay Saxena – aka DJ Charlie B – and Nicholas Causarano.

Plus Taylor Nishimura also becomes Associate Manager, A&R Operations. “I’m delighted that Charlie B and Nick have chosen to join the team – I know they’ll help us become even more culturally relevant and commercially successful”, says President Kristen Burke. “It’s also fantastic that George and Taylor are stepping up into their new roles.

They’ve done an incredible job out of the gate and will be the engine room of the A&R team, driving projects forward”.————————————————–EDUCATION & EVENTSMiddlesex University London and the Association Of Independent Music have partnered to launch a new MA Music Business programme aimed at music industry professionals studying remotely. “I have a deep commitment to social justice, diversity and inclusion and making sure that there is a level playing field”, says AIM CEO Paul Pacifico. “AIM is there to make space for new entrants to the market and for people who have come from unexpected places and do something brilliant.